Things To Do in May!

 

2nd Friday Night Out in Mesa
Live music, entertainment, art walk, prizes. Each month has a theme. Family friendly. Free admission. On Main Street in Downtown Mesa.

Friday, May 9; 6 - 10 p.m.

http://www.2ndfridaynightout.com/

 

 

 

Talk Cinema
Audience members are the critics at a sneak-preview film. This film series screens award-winning indie and foreign films before their theatrical release. The films are selected from leading festivals by critic Harlan Jacobson. Screenings include moderated conversations hosted by guest speakers. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. General admission: $19
Thursday, May 6; 7 p.m.

https://www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org/event/talk-cinema-no-8-2/

 

 

 

The Ameri”CAN” Canned Craft Beer Festival
Celebrating the craft beer movement. Award Ceremony, live entertainment, food, VIP, beer science garden, beer Olympics and over 40 local and national breweries celebrating the canned craft beer revolution. Scottsdale Civic Center Amphitheater.  Admission starts at $35.
Saturday, May 17; VIP Admission Noon - 6 p.m., General Admission 1 - 6 p.m.

http://www.cannedcraftbeerfest.com/

 

 

 

Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball
The Arizona Diamondbacks play professional baseball at Chase Field in Phoenix. Day, afternoon, and evening games.
Various dates and times in May

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=ari

 

 

 

Art Bridge Thursdays
Crafters, jewelers, and artists displaying their work in an outdoor setting with live demonstrations and entertainment in Downtown Scottsdale on the Marshall Way Pedestrian Bridge.  Family Friendly.  Free admission.

 

Every Thursday;  5 p.m. - 10p.m.

http://www.artisanmarketsaz.com/index.php

 

 

 

Avondale Out & About Fiesta
Hilton Garden Inn & Homewood Suites hosts this wonderful celebration complete with entertainment provided by Power Drive, Mariachi Aguila & Ballet Folklorico. Salsa contest, arts & crafts and a wonderful selection of Hispanic foods will also be available.  Admission is free.
Friday, May 2; 6 - 9 p.m.

http://www.avondale.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=6201&month=5&year=2014&day=7&calType=0

 

 

 

Chandler Center for the Arts Free Concert Series
Family-friendly, free to the pubic concerts. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Foyer doors will open one hour prior to show-time. Chandler Center for the Arts.
Sunday, May 4; Doors open at 2 p.m., performance starts at 3 p.m.

http://chandlercenter.org/home.html

 

 

 

Cinco de Mayo Events

 

With so many people of Mexican descent in the Phoenix area, it's no wonder that Cinco de Mayo is a day much anticipated in the Valley of the Sun.  For a list of Cinco de Mayo celebrations all around the valley, please visit:

http://phoenix.about.com/od/events/a/cincodemayo.htm

 

 

 

Community Cinema
Free movie and post-show discussion, presented by City of Mesa Office of Diversity. Dobson Lecture Hall at Mesa Arts Center.

 

Thursday, May 15; 6 p.m.

http://www.mesaaz.gov/diversity/cinemaseries.aspx

 

 

 

Desert Ridge Marketplace Concerts
Free concerts on two stages in North Phoenix at Desert Ridge Marketplace.

 

Fridays and Saturdays; Concerts start at 7 p.m.

http://www.shopdesertridge.com/events/live-music/

 

 

 

 

Downtown Chandler Art Walk
Visit more than 70 artisans set up along the streets in front of the unique shops and cafes of Historic Downtown Chandler. Free admission.
Friday, May 16; 6 - 10 p.m.

http://chandlerartwalk.com/

 

 

 

Farmers Markets
Vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, breads, jams, cheeses, juices, local specialty foods and crafts. Several locations.
Various dates and locations in May

http://phoenix.about.com/od/foodanddrink/ss/Phoenix-Farmers-Markets.htm

 

 

 

First Friday
Visit more than 100 downtown Phoenix art galleries, studios and art spaces. Free admission.
Friday, May 3; 6 - 10 p.m.

 

http://phoenix.about.com/cs/enter/a/firstfriday.htm

 

 

 

Gilbert Spring Concerts in the Park
Enjoy a great night of music at a FREE concert in Gilbert's beautiful Freestone Park. The concert series features local performers from a variety of genre, making each night enjoyable for all. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets to get comfortable and listen to fabulous music at the park. Don't forget parking is free and there will be local vendors with food and beverages for purchase.
Thursday, May 8; 7 - 9 p.m.

http://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/special-events/concerts-in-the-park

 

 

 

Kentucky Derby Events
Can't get to Kentucky for the annual Run for the Roses? You can find a viewing party, brunch or a mint julep right here in Arizona.
For a list of event locations, please visit:

http://phoenix.about.com/od/attractionsandevents/a/Kentucky-Derby-Celebrations-Phoenix-Scottsdale.htm

 

 

 

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Free Concerts
Scottsdale. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy a variety of music. Train and carousel rides are available during all concerts for a small charge.
Sunday nights starting in May; 7:30 - 9 p.m.

http://therailroadpark.com/events

 

 

 

Motorcycles on Main
The streets of downtown Mesa are closed to all but bikers and people who love motorcycles. Music, food, beer garden. Free admission.
Friday, May 2; 6 - 10 p.m.

http://www.downtownmesa.com/monthly-events-downtown-mesa/

 

 

 

Movies in the Park
Biltmore Fashion Park invites you to enjoy Movies in the Park on the Center Lawn. Featuring classic films and American favorites.  Free admission.
Every Friday; 7:30pm

http://www.shopbiltmore.com/

 

 

 

Museum Day

 

Each May The International Council of Museums designates a day as International Museum Day. The theme for 2014 is "Museum collections make connections." Several Central Arizona Museums host special events throughout the month of May to focus attention on our wonderful museums.

 

Saturday, May 17; various locations

http://phoenix.about.com/od/entermus/a/museumday.htm

 

 

 

Music in the Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden is pleased to bring another notable lineup to the Music in the Garden Concert Series. Rediscover beloved favorites from years past and welcome Valley legends to the Ullman Terrace stage for the first time, all while enjoying the stunning atmosphere of the Garden.  Plan ahead and enjoy dinner at Gertrude’s, the Garden’s restaurant, or enjoy the following options at Ullman Terrace: Patio Café, Chef-attended Station, Full Cash Bar, Boutique Wine Sales.

 

Admission: Members $20; General Public $25
May 2, 8, 9, 16, & 30. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Concert 7 - 9 p.m.

http://phoenix.about.com/od/outdoorfestivals/ss/Music-In-The-Garden.htm

 

 

 

Phoenix Mercury WNBA Basketball
The women of the Phoenix Mercury play professional basketball at the US Airways Center.
Various dates and time in May

http://www.wnba.com/mercury/index_main.html

 

 

 

Queen Creek Peach Festival
Hay rides to the orchards, live music, train rides, carousel rides and more, Peachy Pancake breakfast, Peachy Sampling Pavilion with food ranging from sweets to salsa’s, Water activities, Peachy arts and crafts booths, Peach pies, Peach cinnamon rolls, Peach cookies, Peach cobbler and more at Schnepf Farms.
Weekends, May 10 & 11, 17 & 18; 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

http://www.schnepffarms.com/event/peach-festival/

 

 

 

Science Saturdays
Combines science experiments with historic home tours. Different science projects at each session. Historic home tours and garden walks will also be available. Free admission. Tumbleweed Park, Chandler.
Saturday, May 10; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

http://www.chandleraz.gov/default.aspx?pageid=998

 

 

 

Scottsdale ArtWalk
ArtWalks are free to the public every Thursday evening along Main Street from Scottsdale Rd. west to Goldwater Blvd., and on Marshall Way north of Indian School Rd. to Fifth Ave. Restaurants, museums and free trolley and/or horse-drawn carriage rides are available during ArtWalk to transport folks from numerous free parking areas throughout the Scottsdale Arts District and Scottsdale Downtown.

 

Thursdays, May 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29; 7 - 9 p.m.

http://scottsdalegalleries.com/

 

 

 

Taste of Greek Festival

 

Experience a slice of Greece at this outdoor festival featuring traditional Greek foods, Greek products, live Greek music, costumed folk dancing and a Kids Fun Zone. Chandler. Admission $3, Children under 12 are free.

 

Friday - Sunday, May 2 - 4; times vary

http://phoenix.about.com/od/outdoorfestivals/ss/greek-festival-chandler.htm

 

 

 

Westgate Bike Night
It’s baaaaccckkk. Westgate’s going even bigger, badder, better and louder than last year. In association with Cyclerides.com, the much-anticipated Westgate Bike Night returns to the Plaza March 27 – running ‘til June 26 – every Thursday from 5-9pm. Weekly, hundreds of bikes line Coyotes Boulevard for the biggest bike night in the Valley, and the evening’s coupled with great live music and screamin’ deals and discounts from Westgate merchants. All riders are welcome, but you don’t have to have a bike to enjoy the show. We guarantee it’s a good time… with a little eye candy to boot. Free admission. Westgate Entertainment District (formerly known as Westgate City Center), Glendale.
Thursdays, May 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29; 5 - 9 p.m.

http://westgateaz.com/bikenight/